中国家庭财富不平等的趋势、来源与驱动机制(2010—2020)

Trends,Sources and Driving Mechanisms of Household Wealth Inequality in China(2010-2020)

财富不平等已成为超越收入不平等的重大经济社会问题,但目前缺少关于中国家庭财富不平等问题的系统性研究。本研究利用中国家庭追踪调查数据考察了家庭财富不平等的变化轨迹、资产来源和驱动机制。研究发现,在2010年到2020年期间,家庭财富不平等维持在相对高位,但总体上呈下降趋势。从构成财富的资产类型来看,住房资产不平等是家庭财富不平等的主要来源,但其作用逐渐减弱,而金融资产不平等的作用不断增强。从驱动机制来看,通过资产投资产生的收入和债务可以加速财富积累,但高阶层家庭具有更强的财富积累能力,从而造成财富的不平等分配。

Wealth inequality has become a significant economic and social issue beyond income inequality.However,there is a lack of systematic research on wealth inequality among Chinese households.Using data from the China Family Panel Studies,this study examines the trajectory of household wealth inequality in China and further explores the asset sources and driving mechanisms of wealth inequality.The study finds that household wealth inequality maintained a high level,but there was a general downward trend in wealth inequality between 2010 and 2020.Regarding the asset types that make up household wealth,inequality in housing assets was the main source of household wealth inequality,whose role was gradually diminishing,whereas inequality in financial assets was increasing.Regarding the driving mechanisms,income and debt generated through asset investment could accelerate wealth accumulation.However,high-class households had a greater capacity to accumulate wealth,thus creating an unequal distribution of household wealth.